The new Energy Performance Certificate

Category News

The new Energy Performance Certificate for non residential buildings will come into effect in December of 2025. Accounting officers and building owners will be required to display and submit an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their building. Failure to comply is a violation of Act No. 34 of 2008, and may result in a financial penalty levied against the building owners.
EPCs indicate a building's energy consumption and must be based on SANS 10400 XA:2021 standards. The data used to determine the EPC and a certified electronic copy must be submitted to SANEDI for inclusion in the National Building Energy Performance Register.

Transforming the Built Environment

The certification aims at making buildings in South Africa more energy efficient while reducing the strain on the national electrical grid and helping the country meet its emissions commitments in the future. The EPC certification aims to increase building owners' awareness of areas where they can improve energy efficiency and help tenants make informed decisions. The EPC is valid for five years, after which the building must be reassessed.
Buildings will be graded based on their energy use per square meter, with A being the most efficient and G being the least. Non-residential buildings in South Africa must display their EPC at their entrance to comply. Compliance allows building owners to identify energy-saving opportunities and potentially increase their buildings' value.

The requirement to display an EPC applies to non-residential buildings such as offices, educational institutions, entertainment facilities, and places of public assembly, including indoor sporting facilities and community centers. The legislation does not apply to factories and manufacturing plants at this stage.

Author: Mark Macleod